BBC's 'body files' revision

We, the undersigned, hereby affirm our dismay at the information given on the BBC site on 'body files' for young women, and request action is taken to revise the information given on the site to young women on the subject of menstruation.

We represent a number of individuals who together support the move to provide young women with full information regarding potential risks of menstrual products and support informing today's young women of all the choices in menstrual protection available to allow for informed choice when choosing menstrual products used.

Currently the BBC information on menstruation sees information telling young women they need to use either tampons or sanitary towels, the information here is limited and does not inform young women of all their choices nor the risks involved in those products mentioned;

"You'll need sanitary protection to soak up your period, like tampons, or sanitary towels (STs). It's best to try different kinds to find what's best for you, but most girls start using STs."

We firmly believe that this gives a wrong impression about menstrual health and that revision of this information is necessary, although we understand information given on such issues has to be limited given the subject audience we do feel allowances should be made to allow for basic information on vaginal health in relation to menstrual products.
Along with this we feel that information should be given on potential risks both past and present to aid in informing young women on the issues involved and the potential health risks they may face in their choice of menstrual product.
Furthermore we believe the site should offer information on a wider range of menstrual products, such as non-commercial tampons and sanitary pads and menstrual cups. Information on commercial menstrual products is plentiful and we feel young women should be made aware that they have a wider choice in menstrual products, many offering advantages commercial menstrual products cannot offer.

We also feel that the information links on body issues should be revised, we are disgusted that Tampax is given as a link to further information on menstrual health, there is a plethora of body positive information sites designed with young men and women in mind that could be given, for example Scarleteen. We do not feel it is appropriate to give links to a commercial tampon manufacturers site to young women seeking information on menstruation.
As the BBC site is part of the BBC company it should uphold the same standards as expected from the BBC itself, the BBC site states that;
"Because the BBC is financed by a TV licence paid by households, it does not have to serve the interests of advertisers or shareholders. The BBC provides a wide range of public services for everyone, free of adverts and independent of commercial or political interests"
Linking a single commercial company like Tampax without providing information on a wider range of products is suspect and seemingly inappropriate action from the BBC, whom are supposed to be impartial, yet Tampax stands out as an example in several prime locations on the BBC's 'body files', this is not in the interests of licence holders.

This issue may seem inconsequential however young women and men can be impressionable, informing them of this topic in such a way may give an idea that there are only two choices in menstrual protection, and that these products have no risk, this can lead not only to ill-informed young adults but also could cause them potential harm in the long run. We feel it is important for young women and men to be well informed when it comes to matters of sexual health, this includes menstrual health.

We call upon the BBC team dealing with this area of the BBC site to revise the information they give to young women & men on this issue, as well as reconsider how appropriate it is for the BBCi to link to a commercial tampon manufacturer.
We also ask that moderators of the site are informed on these issues, as we have been made aware of members being removed from the BBC forums for discussing anything other than mainstream menstrual products, or discussing health issues on such products with other less informed members, as well as this moderators offering health advice to young adults should too know all the facts, risks and alternatives to better aid in helping these young adults with their sexual health problems.